The archive will focus primarily on the nineteenth century, making it an important addition to ProQuest’s aggressive initiative to create a comprehensive digital research source on this significant century.
“Many of the seminal texts of the nineteenth century – from imaginative literature like Dickens’s Oliver Twist to political and philosophical treatises such as J. S. Mill’s Utilitarianism - were originally presented in serial form in the periodicals contained in these collections,” said Mary Sauer-Games, ProQuest vice-president of publishing for Chadwyck-Healey. “British Periodicals will offer scholars a new way of studying the most influential writings and a new way of accessing and understanding the less well-known materials that comprise the extensive journalistic tapestry -- the record of daily life -- of a hugely important historical period.”
The product will encompass many important collections creating the first digital access to such an expansive array of humanities research sources. Research collections include English Literary Periodicals, Early British Periodicals (topics include literature, philosophy, history, science, the fine arts and the social sciences), and British Periodicals in the Creative Arts, (covering art, drama, archaeology and architecture). ProQuest will also include a variety of other periodicals that have not been included in microfilm collections. These include Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, British Quarterly Review, Cornhill Magazine, Modern Review, Theological Review and University Magazine, Longman’s Magazine, Atlantis and Dublin University Magazine.
British Periodicals will allow users to view page images and search the full-text for all of its content, including articles, illustrations, ads and other items comprising each periodical issue.
British Periodicals is part of ProQuest’s ongoing initiative to digitize important early historical works. Its current focus is on capturing the nineteenth century for faster, more comprehensive research. The company recently announced the upcoming launch of C19: The Nineteenth Century Index -- a finding tool for materials in multiple formats -- which will include the first web-enabled version of the celebrated Wellesley Index to Victorian Periodicals (1824-1900). Further, it’s expanding its 19th Century House of Commons Parliamentary Papers to include papers from 20th and 21st century sessions.
For more information about ProQuest research products visit the company on the Web at www.il.proquest.com.
About ProQuest Information and LearningProQuest Information and Learning is a world leader in collecting, organizing, and publishing information worldwide for researchers, faculty, and students in libraries and schools. Known widely for its strength in business and economics, general reference, humanities, social sciences, and STM content, the company develops premium databases comprising periodicals, newspapers, dissertations, out-of-print books, and other scholarly information from more than 8,500 publishers worldwide. Users access the information through the ProQuest® Web-based online information system, Chadwyck-HealeyTM electronic and microform resources, UMI® microform and print reference products, eLibrary®, SIRS® and Voyager Expanded Learning educational resources, and XanEdu® online faculty and student resources. For more information about ProQuest Information and Learning, visit www.il.proquest.com.
ProQuest Information and Learning is a business unit of ProQuest Company (www.proquestcompany.com), which was recently named one of the top 100 fastest growing technology companies in the United Statesby Business 2.0 and one of the 200 best small companies by Forbes Magazine.
